Description

The Spitfire F Mk XVI is a rank IV British fighter
with a battle rating of 4.7 (AB) and 5.0 (RB/SB). This fighter has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.

The Spitfire F Mk XVI is a very unique plane with an awkwardly unique role and design. Virtually identical to the Spitfire LF Mk.IX, aside from the clipped wings and bubble cockpit, the Mk XVI combines the low-altitude capabilities of the aforementioned fighter with the fantastic roll, dive, and speed capabilities of the German Focke-Wulfe 190 series.

The Mk XVI possesses all the characteristics of the LF Mk. IX regarding armament and performance at low-altitude. Low-altitude climb acceleration is fantastic, the climb rate is very good, and armament is extremely effective. The main distinguishing feature of the XVI is its clipped wings. These wings give the Mk XVI some distinct advantages- a great roll rate and amazing dive and level speed and acceleration. The roll rate makes evasion a very easy task- rolling manoeuvres can easily evade most tail-end attacks by any fighter in the 4.5-5.5 BR range. Even more, the clipped wings of the XVI provide for very good low-altitude speed and acceleration performance- this fighter climbs like a rocket and dives like a hornet below 1500 m.

However, the clipped wings can provide some significant disadvantages to flying, as well. Compared to similar Merlin Spitfires the turn rate is far worse, higher-altitude performance is abysmal, and climb performance is worse, though marginally.

Weaponry is standard, except for the 2 x Browning M2 12.7 mm HMGs that replace the standard 4 x Browning .303 machine guns. As a matter of fact, the two M2s provide a significant increase in firepower. When equipped with Omni or Stealth they provide excellent "soft" ground target dispatching performance while proving effective as a last-ditch weapon. As with most of the Spitfire line, the XVI possesses 2 x Hispano-Suiza Mk.II 20 mm cannons which are highly effective against most fighters, especially when utilizing the "Air Targets" belt.

Thus, the Spit F Mk. XVI is not a suitable Boom & Zoom nor high-altitude fighter; it works best as a low-altitude fighter-bomber that can effectively take out ground targets while providing good fighter cover. Boom and Run is by far the best-recommended tactic.

Stock parts are not as bad as some other T4-5 planes, such as the P-51D-5, Ki-84 and Late Bf109s

Cons:

Worse turning than all other Merlin Spitfires

Worse dive speed than its German and American counterparts

Poor performance at altitude

Relatively low rip speed (650 kph)

The RAF M2 HMGs are not as good as their American counterpart, the M2 Early/Late

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.

In-game description

"The Supermarine Spitfire was a British single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter. Various modifications served as fighters, interceptors, high-altitude fighters, fighter-bombers and reconnaissance aircraft.

The Mk XVI variant was very similar to the Mk IX; however, it was powered by a US-manufactured Packard Merlin 266 engine. A total of 1,054 Spitfires of this variant were produced. All production variants had the distinguishing feature of low-altitude clipped wings and a cut down rear fuselage and bubble canopy for increased visibility. The clipped wings increased the roll rate and top speed due to a reduction in drag, but sacrificed some of the fighter’s rate of climb. This, coupled with an engine optimised for efficiency in denser air made the Mk XVI ideally suited to combat at lower altitudes."

Media

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Read also

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